Shipping container for produce



R. L. WHlTE ET AL 2,841,319 SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR PRODUCE July 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jilly 18, 1955 I/VVE/VT'ORS. Roger L. White,

R10 harg C. Millefiand y LEWIS E. Young.

A TTORNE V5.

y 1958 R. L. WHITE ET AL 2,841,319

SHIPPING CONTAINER FOR PRODUCE Filed July 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/VI/ENTORS.

Roger L. White,

Ric/1a rd 0. Mil/9!; nd y Lewis 5. young.

vW/M/ ATTORNfXS.

2,841,319 Patented July 1, 1 958 SWPING CONTAMER FOR PRDDUCE Roger L. White and Richard (J. Miller, Lawrence, Kane, and Lewis E. Young, Salt Lake City, Utah, assignors to The Lawrence Paper (Iompan Lawrence, Karts, a corporation of Kansas Application July 18, 1955, erial No. 522,562

3 Claims. (Cl. 225*37) This invention relates to shipping containers for produce such as fruits, vegetables and the like, and more particularly, to a folded shipping container of suitable paper board.

In the shipping of perishable produce such as fruits and vegetables, it is desirable that the containers be L shaped whereby when stacked during storage and shipping there may be ventilation or air circulation around the containers and produce contained therein, and that the containers provide maximum protection of the contents to prevent or reduce possibility of injury due to loads and impacts occurring during shipping and rough handling.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a novel shipping container structure of suitable paper board such as double-faced corrugated board with side walls having vertical portions and downwardly tapered portions for forming ventilation channels and lateral load-bearing surfaces when a plurality of such containers are arranged in side by side or adjoining relation; to provide such a container with facet Wall panels at the corners having angularly arranged upper and lower portions which cooperate with the vertical and tapering portions of the side walls. to retain same in position and add rigidity thereto; to provide such a container with a liner having a shape substantially conforming to and engaging the interior of the side walls with registering openings in the liner and side Walls for ventilation of the contents of the container, and to provide a shipping container of corrugated board that is shaped whereby it is cut and scored and adapted to be shipped fiat and assembled at the point of use in a double wall container having a tapering formation with load-bearing substantially vertical surfaces in each side wall; and to provide such a container that is economical to manufacture, and easily assembled in a shipping container of improved impact and stacking strength and that permits ventilation during storage and shipping to give protection to fruit and produce contained therein.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, we have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a shipping container embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the shipping container taken on the line 22, Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view through the shipping container on the line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the outer wall portion of the shipping container.

Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of a modified form of shipping container.

Fig. 6 is a partial top perspective view of the modified form of shipping container with the top flaps in open position to illustrate the liner therein.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a shipping container generally consisting of, an outer member or box 2 with a bottom closure 3 and a top closure 4, an inner bottom 5 and a wall liner 6, all fabricated from suitable paper board such as double-faced corrugated board that is of' high strength, moistureresistant and relatively stifi when wet. The outer member 2 of the shipping container is preferably formed from a cut and scored blank 7 illustrated in Fig. 4, and including a main body portion 8 of generally segmental shape or form. On one of the side edges of the blank 7 are extensions 9, 10, 11 and 12 forming bottom closing flaps of the shipping container, and upon the opposite side the blank is provided with extensions 13, 14, 15 and 16 preferably forming top closing flaps. The extensions 9, 10, 11 and 12 have their inner edges defined V respectively by score lines 17, 18, 15 and 2% arranged in end to end angular relation and extending generally longitudinally of the blank. The extensions 13, 14, 15

and 16 have their inner edges defined respectively by scorelines 21, 22, 23, and 24, arranged in end to end angular relation whereby the score lines 21, 22, 23 and 24 are substantially parallel to the score lines 17, 18, 19 and respectively. The extensions 9 and 10 are separated by a line of cut 25; the extensions 18 and 11 are separated by a line of cut 25; and the extensions 11 and 12 are separated by a line of cut 27. The extensions 13, 14, 15 and 16 are separated by cuts 28 whereby the end edges 29 and 30 of each of said extensions are substantially perpendicular to the respective score lines 21, 22, 23 and 24. a

Extending longitudinally of the blank and arranged in end to end angular relation are a plurality of straight score lines 31, 32, 33 and 34 arranged intermediate the side edges of the main body portion and parallel with the score lines 21, 22, 23 and 24 respectively. Diverging score lines 35 and 36 extend from the intersection of the score'line 17 and end edge 3'7 of the extension 9 to the score line 31 and score line 33 in an end fiap 39 on the body member 3, and then the score lines 35 and 35 converge to a point of intersection of the score line 21 and end edge 25 of the extension Corresponding diverging score lines 40 and 41 extend from the line of cut 25 to tr e score lines 31 and 32 and then converge to the intersection of the cup 28 that separates the extensions 13 and 14 and the intersection thereof with the ends of the score lines 21 and 22. Corresponding scores lines 42 and 43 extend from the ends of the line of cut 26 to the score lines 32 and 33, and then converge to the adjacent ends of the score lines 22 and 23 where they intersect the line of cut 28 between the extensions 14 and 15. Corresponding score lines 44 and 45 diverge from the end of the line of cut 27 to the score lines 33 and 34, and then converge to the adjacent ends of the score lines 23 and 24 where they intersect the line of cut 23 between the extensions 15 and 16.

The end of the body member opposite from the flap 35 is preferably cut on a line 46 whereby the body portion defined by the score lines 20, 45, 24, and end edge is a side Wall 47 and substantially the same shape as the body portion or side wall 48 defined by the score lines 123, 41, 22 and 42, and the body portion or side wall 49 defined by the score lines 17, 36, 21 and 46 corresponds to the body portion or side wall 56 defined by the score lines 19, 43, 23 and 44.

In the illustrated structure, hand holds 51 and 52 are cut in opposed body portions, for example, between the score lines 17 and 31 and 19 and 33 respectively. Also, the body portion is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures 53 forming ventilating openings as later described.

In setting up the outer member or box 2 of the shipping container, the blank 7 is bent'on the score lines 35, 36,

40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 whereby the end portion of tainer and are not transmitted to' the'contents in sufii-i cient force to injure the contents 'of the container,

the flap 39 extends beyond'the Vend"edg e46 and-overlies the adjacent body portion and is secured thereto by suitable fastening devices 5%. In so bending the bodypor;

tion; the upper portions 55 of -the riespective poay on; tions as between the respective score-lines 21; 3:1;2 23; 33; and 2-i, 34, is snbstantially--vertical and pe downwardly and inwardly, {and the-portions .betweentiie 1 "respectivelscore lines 35, 36, 40, 41-, 42,;43 and44, 45;

form cornerifacets or panels which are inclined inwardly and downwardly fromthe upper corners: of the container to the'interrne diat'e'score lines and then taper inwardly and downwardly at'ales'ser degree-from the-intermediate I score lines to the-bottom corners Ofthe-cQntainers. When 1 so arranged, the upper;portions '551offopposedside walls are siibstantiallyparallel and the upper' ends of said upper'wall portions of the sidewalls collectively form'a periphery" def ning an upper opening 'STfor'the container 7 'and'the lower ends fof the inwardly tapering-wall panels tions 5fi belew the score lines 21,32,exte der-taper" a 7 joining and stacked condition, ventilating passages will peripheryof the'lower opening being smaller thanthe V I I V p the upper opening ofthe container, and the lower ends p'eripheryof the upper opening and-theperiphery'ofrthe' lower opening-lying within'the area'cverhung by; the

periphery of the upper opening 1 The extensions 9, -10, 11 and V 12 are 1 folded inwardly and upwardly in overlapping relation to provide' the bottom closure 3' and said extensions are then suitably secured'in closed condition by suitable fastening devices 59 suclg' asfstaples o'r gumrned tape; The inner bottom Siscut from a sheet-of corrugated board and conforms. to the shape of the interior of the container at the botplaced .in theouter rhembenof the container andfrnovie'd 7 into overlying relation to the bottom closure 3. p

A liner 6 is cut and scored in substantially the' same manner and relationship as the body'portion S ofthe 'tom opening thereof whereby 'saidinner bottom may be i the container is filled, the extensions 13, 14, 11? and :16" V are folded inwardly and downwardly into: overlapping relation and suitably secured in closed condition by suit able fastening devices, for example, a strip of gunirned tape60. V

Whenia pluralit'y'of filled containers'are placed in V "stacked condition and side by sidegrelation; the vertical V or upper portions 55 of the side walls provide bearing surfacesbetween adjoining containers when stacked to3 gether,- andthe inwardly tapered portion provide horizontal-channels for air flow, and thefacet'corners pro vide'verticaLchannels whereby air can'circulate around the sides of th'e container and also enter the apertures 53 in the 'onter member andpass through the registering apertures 61 in the liner for movement around the contents of the container. The vertical portionoftthe 'side' walls of the container are of suitable ,size to form" load bearing surfaces that'rare ample'to take and absorb the impact imparted to stacked containers as for examplein freight cars during rough handling, switc'hing-andthe like, whereby the impact loadsiareabsorbed by'tbe con- In the form ofthe invention illustrated "in Figs; 5"and" 6, the lower portion of the container is substantially to sive. The upper portion of th'econtainer differs only. in thatpthe converging portion of'thescore lines 35;;36; 4a;

7 41,- '42, 43; @'arid '45 intersect withth'e scorelinesi zl, 22;.

23 :and 2e iglaterally spacedrelation whereby the{upper configuration of the container is provided with'wh'at may be termed beveled corners 62 as illustrated in Fig; '5'

- identical withthefform illustrated in Figs; l to 4,inclu be formed therebetween and there will be contacting" lateral load-bearing portions; which substantially reu and lower-portions of eachsside wall, the upper ends or r the upper portions of the side walls collectivelydefiiiing t p of the lower portions of the-sidewalls collectively defining: the bottomflopening of the container; theupper and bottom openings each being of rectangularcross section with the area o frthe uppe'bojaening being greatenthan thearea of the bottom opening; corner 'panels connecting theadjacent'side waillsthroughout'their height; said" corner panels each being defined by pairsof score lines diverging from the lower ends of the sidewalls to thescore lines defining the juncture of the upper Vandlower portions flof the adjacent side walls and then converging. to the-upper ends of the side walls, closure flaps hingedly' connected'tqthe lower ends of the side walls for. closing; the bottom opening of the'container; and'closurefiaps hingedly connected to the upper ends-of the-side walls for closing thenpperopening of the containerrsaid side walls having a plurality of mutually spaced apertures'therein; said upper pa'rallel portions of the container being" ofsuitable height whereby said container is characterized bythe parallel portions ot-the side walls providing-bean ing surfaces between adjoining containers 'and' the'in clined lower portions and corner panels providing 'horizontal and vertical'air passages between adjoiningcona tainerswhen stacked together; r

2. A tshippingQcontainer-forfruitand gardeirproducb formed of'stiif, high strength, moisture-resistant double faced c'orrug at'ed 'paper board, said contair'ier having a p plurality of connected side walls wherein bPPosed side: walls'have parallelj upper portions disposed-in parallel planes and inwardly and downwardly inclinedjlowefpor tions, a'score line definingthe jun-ctureofithe upper and lower portions of each side wall; upper 'ends of, the upper portions of the side walls collectivelydeiining'=thef upper opening of the container; and thelowe'r euds'-of" the lower portions of the side walls; collectively def ning" the bottom opening eithe container, the periphery of the 'upperopening being substantially greater in length than theperiphery of the lower opening, corner panels connecting theadjacent sidewalls, said corner panels each beingdefinedtby pairs offlsc'ore lines diverging from the lower ends of the side 1 walls to the score lines; defining the;juncture' of th'eflupper andl low'er portionsof the ad jacent side walls and then'jconvergingt'o'the upper ends of said sidewalls,score. linese'xtendi'ng across the corner panels at the greatest width thereof and defining upper andlower portions" of the corner panelswb-ich are angularly related to, form downwardly and inwardly inclined portions with the upper portion being inclined inwardly. atva greaterrdegree than the lower portion, said score linesjdefiningthejuncture.of th'e upper and lowerrpor tions 'of the'side wallsand the score linesf extending across the cornerpanels all beinginaiplanegparallel to the lower ends of the side .wallsl,tclosureflapsthingedly connected'to the lower ends of'the side walls for closing the bottom opening of the container, and closure flaps hingedly connected to the upper ends of the side walls for closing the upper opening of the container, said side walls having a plurality of mutually spaced apertures therein, said upper parallel portions of said container being of suitable height whereby said container is characterized by the parallel portions of the side walls providing hearing surfaces between adjoining containers and the inclined lower portions and corner panels providing horizontal and vertical air passages between adjoining containers when stacked together.

3. A shipping container for fruit and garden produce and formed of stiff, high strength, moisture-resistant double-faced corrugated paper board, said container having a plurality of connected side walls wherein opposed side walls have upper portions disposed in parallel planes and inwardly and downwardly inclined lower portions, a score line defining the juncture of the upper and lower portions of each side walls, the upper ends of the upper portions of the side walls collectively defining the upper opening of the container, and the lower ends of the lower portion of the side walls collectively defining the bottom opening of the container, said upper and bottom openings being substantially square in cross section, the periphery of the upper opening being substantially greater in length than the periphery of the bottom opening, corner panels connecting the adjacent side walls, said corner panels each being defined by pairs of score lines diverging from the lower ends of the side walls to the score lines defining the juncture of the upper and lower portions of the adjacent side walls and then converging to the upper ends of the side walls, score lines extending across the corner panels at the greatest width thereof and defining upper and lower portions of the corner panels which are angularly related to form downwardly and inwardly inclined portions with the upper portion being inclined inwardly at a greater degree than the lower portion, said score lines defining the juncture of the upper and lower portions of the side walls and the score lines extending across the corner panels all being in a plane parallel to the plane of the upper ends of said upper portions of the side walls, a liner in the container and having side walls and corner panels substantially corresponding in shape and coextensive with the side walls and corner panels of the container and snugly engaging the interior thereof, said side walls and liner having a plurality of mutually spaced registering apertures therein, closure flaps hingedly connected to the upper ends of the side walls for closing the upper opening of the container, and closure flaps hingedly connected to the lower ends of the side walls for closing the bottom opening of the container, said upper parallel portions of said container being of suitable height whereby said container is characterized by the parallel portions of the side walls providing bearing surfaces between adjoining containers and the inclined lower portions and corner panels providing horizontal and vertical air passages between adjoining containers when stacked together.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,602,702. Pinkerton Oct. 12, 1926 1,945,878 Breton Feb. 5, 1934 2,013,712 Evans Sept. 10, 1935 2,067,998 Williamson Jan. 19, 1937 2,094,175 Krannert et a1 Sept. 28, 1937 2,404,065 Hill July 16, 1946 2,553,804 Zinn May 22, 1951 

